(BOSTON – 5/9/2023) As the Senate Committee on Ways & Means released its FY24 Budget proposal today, Senator Velis (D-Westfield) highlighted the record funding included in the package for behavioral health initiatives. Building off the Mental Health ABC 2.0 Act of last session, the budget invests over $1.3 billion to support a spectrum of behavioral health services and prevention programs for adults and children.
“As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, this budget proposal emphasizes the Senate’s steadfast commitment to supporting individuals in our Commonwealth who are struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorders,” said Senator Velis, who is Senate Chair of the Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery Committee. “I am grateful to Senate President Spilka, Chairman Rodrigues, and the Senate Ways & Means Committee for their thoughtful and attentional focus in this proposal on behavioral health.”
The budget proposal includes $597.7 million for Adult Support Services, including assisted outpatient programming, and $316.3 million for Department of Mental Health hospitals and community-based services.
Much of the additional funding is focused on recommendations from the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission, including $100 million for a loan repayment program for behavioral health workers, $25 million for scholarship programs, and another $25 million to support currently unpaid clinical hours that are required for internships, field placements, and apprenticeships.
“A lot of this focus is on our behavioral health workforce and how we can encourage more folks to get into these fields and retain them,” said Senator Velis. “But another major part of this is about making investments in areas where folks are feeling the impact of this crisis the hardest. That is why the Senate budget also makes a major commitment in the behavioral health needs of our most vulnerable populations, with a key focus on our schools and students. We have a lot to do in the behavioral health space and I am proud of these investments as chairman. ”
The Senate budget proposal also includes:
- $25 million for emergency department diversion initiatives for children, adolescents, and adults, a $15 million increase over the FY 2023;
- $19.2 million for student behavioral health services across public colleges, K-12 colleges, and early education centers; and
- $119.3 million for children’s mental health services, including $1 million for universal mental health screenings in schools.
Senators have until Friday, May 12th, to file amendments to the budget proposal, which will then be debated by the Senate later in May. Senator Velis noted that he looks forward to working with his colleagues to improve the legislation even more.
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